Department of Botany

The Botany Department is unique at UW because of our focus on fundamental research and teaching on plants, as well as our study of populations, communities, and ecosystems. Our faculty are recognized nationally and internationally and are actively engaged in their scientific communities.

Research topics includeEcology,Evolution, Environmental Change, Ecohydrology, Remote Sensing, Systematics & Floristics, and Symbiosis. These are investigated using genomics, computational science, stable isotopes, microscopy, spatial data analysis, remote sensing, biogeochemical and physiological approaches, and field and laboratory experiments. Our students receive a high quality education through engagement in these topics and tools and through faculty involvement in science education research.

This wingless stick insect was used for genome research conducted by a team that included Alex Buerkle, UW Botany Prof. The work was published as the cover story in May's issue of Science. (Moritz Muschick photo)